Hello,
I’m curious of peoples opinions as to how they go about looking for quality yamadori locations in the mountains? I’m near the southern Alberta Rockies, and have spent several years hiking the mountains both recreationally as well as looking/collecting yamadori. I’ve found very few trees that have bonsai potential, and even fewer that could be successfully collected. I understand that most trees will be considered “uncollectable” for various reasons, but it seems like a lot of areas simply grow “normal” looking trees with no potential for bonsai. After following several prolific collectors in the bonsai world, it seems these guys are collecting from areas that create unbelievable bonsai specimens. Are most of these old, gnarly trees being found in the very high alpine areas, near the edge of the treeline, where conditions are very malevolent (low rainfall, high winds, cold winters etc) Are people studying satellite imagery to find places with extreme terrain in the high alpine etc…? My instincts tell me that all the stunted, gnarly trees are coming from places that most people wouldn’t dare to go, or even think about looking…
What have your experiences been with finding good places to collect, and where do most quality trees seem to be found when exploring the mountains in particular.
Thanks for the insight!